CMCA will sponsor a Truck Town Meeting in Sterling, Colorado to keep the local trucking community apprised of news in the industry. Topics include: trucking business law, CSA2010, truck weights, taxation and fees.
The free meeting will be at the Ramada Inn, 22140 E. Hwy 6, Sterling, CO 80751 starting at 7:30 a.m. and running until lunch. Coffee and rolls are provided. Both CMCA members and non-members are welcome. Please RSVP by either calling CMCA, emailing, or faxing the attached form.
The Colorado Legislature officially started the 2010 session on Wednesday with a cloud of uncertainty as to the state’s fiscal situation and in an election year which guarantees some spirited debate. A statement of things to come was offered by Governor Ritter in his 2010 State of the State speech on Thursday when he stated that “The budget will drive much of this session, and it will be even more challenging than last year.”
While Colorado’s unemployment levels are somewhat better than the rest of the country, the state still faces serious challenges as state revenues have continued to decline. Along these lines the Governor and the State Legislature will be seeking to enact and implement programs to make government more efficient to reduce overall expenses. In addition the State Legislature will be forced to make some tough choices and additional cuts. Already the State has identified several furlough days for state employees as a means to cut expenses but more budget cuts are anticipated in the days ahead.
In concert with the Governor and the Legislature’s call for greater efficiency in government, CMCA plans on promoting an agenda toward streamlining government in regard to motor carrier activities. In particular we are concerned in the area of motor carrier safety and enforcement with the onset of the new federal safety program, CSA 2010, in July. In addition we hope to once again seek to make our state more competitive for our trucking companies by bringing our state tax and fees more in line with those of surrounding states.
One measure that will be an interesting one to watch is a measure regarding the regulation of medical marijuana. Since the passage of Amendment 20 several years ago, the state has seen a mushrooming business of marijuana storefront dispensaries (in Denver, these outnumber Starbucks locations). During the coming session, the state will attempt to bring some sort of sanity to the increasing number of marijuana dispensaries. Among the issues to be addressed: local control, licensing, definition of caregiver, sales tax payments, etc. This discussion will probably dominate much of the media.
An area of great concern to CMCA is an anticipated spate of workers compensation bills which have been promoted by labor and trial attorneys. Several measures are anticipated to once again target Pinnacol’s operations. Realizing that workers compensation is one of the few bright spots for insurance, with premiums for many companies dropping over the last few years, CMCA and other business groups are very concerned that the legislative proposals do not adversely affect company premiums.
Excess Late Fees Expected to Be Issue
Another point of contention where several bills will be introduced relates to late fees that were increased in the “FASTER” transportation-funding bill that passed last year. Many citizens became riled after finding themselves facing late fees for vehicles that may have been off the road for several months. Last year CMCA expressed concern over these fees because many companies are parking a number of their trucks and not registering them because of the slow economy. Under the new law carriers will be penalized when they bring these vehicles back on line. CMCA has noted that the State should not penalize companies who are helping to bring back the economy.
We anticipate a difficult legislative session with much wrangling and potentially a number of bills which will be unfriendly to business. If we are to succeed in moving our industry forward and at the same time protecting the interests of our members, we will need your support and assistance. In the weeks and months ahead it will be critical that lawmakers hear from our over 600 member companies and 70,000 employees within those companies.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is proposing to amend certain provisions of its drug testing procedures, to create consistency with new requirements established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Mandatory Guidelines. The proposed changes deal with laboratory testing of urine specimens. Some of the proposed changes will also affect the roles and standards applying to collectors and Medical Review Officers. DOT is required by the Omnibus Transportation Employees Testing Act to follow the HHS requirements for the testing procedures/protocols and drugs that are tested for. Primary laboratory proposals include: * Testing for MDMA (aka Ecstasy);
The proposal also would bring a number of testing definitions in-line with those of HHS. You can read the entire Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register. Courtesy of TruckingInfo.com
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has raised the amount per day that the employer of a truck driver may reimburse the driver for meals and incidental expenses when the driver is away from home on travel. This per diem amount, which had been $52 a day for several years, increased to $59 a day on January 1. The rate represents a safe harbor for employers and drivers alike, since reimbursements up to that amount need not be documented by receipts or other evidence. Reimbursements over that amount must either be documented or will be considered income to the driver.
This year CMCA will offer 47 training seminars in Denver and around the State. For a full schedule visit our training page.
Quality training is another benefit of CMCA membership.
CMCA Online Training
Access
Online Training Signup
CMCA Members Only
The "members only" page allows CMCA members to sign up to our Online Training classes at discounted prices.
If you have not received an ID and
password, please contact
Patti Olsgard , Director of Safety, or call (303) 433-3375 ext 104.
If you are not a CMCA member, consider joining today.
Diversified Mechanical Frame and Alignment Shop located at 10220 Brighton Rd. Unit 2, Henderson, CO 80640, will be hosting the Maintenance Council Meeting Tuesday February 9th.
The meeting will start with dinner at 6:00pm. The presentation will be given by the Colorado Ports of Entry and will cover North American out of service criteria, roadside inspection demonstration, vehicle inspection and a questions and answer period.
If you are interested in attending the Maintenance Council meeting please contact Tracy by email or call 303-433-3375 ext. 103
Aspiring truck drivers in Missouri already are required to prove they have a firm grasp of the English language to obtain a license to get behind the wheel of a big rig. An effort in the state’s House would apply the same rule for all other drivers who want to be licensed in the state.
At least nine states now limit licensing tests to English only. The Show-Me State is one of at least eight states to have taken on the task of looking to ensure that aspiring drivers have a firm grasp of the English language before they obtain their licenses. The Missouri bill would require both portions of the driver’s examinations – written test and skill test – to be administered only in English.
Applicants’ ability to understand traffic signs and signals written in English also would be required. They would be prohibited from using translators while taking the tests. Supporters say they are concerned that people are allowed to drive on Missouri roads without a command of the English language.
Opponents say there are no studies that suggest English proficiency makes better drivers. Advocates for the English standard say it’s a matter of safety.
Other States with similar bills include: Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Tennessee
